Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a devastating degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head impacts and mild traumatic brain injuries.

First recognised in boxers in the 1920s as “punch drunk syndrome,” CTE was later identified in an ex-NFL player in 2005. 

In Australia, the disease was first diagnosed in former professional rugby league players in 2018 and a former Australian Rules football player in 2020.

Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed after death by examining the brain. But, scientists are now closer than ever to developing accurate in-life diagnostic criteria—with reliability comparable to those used for Alzheimer’s disease. 

This breakthrough will finally allow clinical trials for new treatments.

The Australian Sports Brain Bank, in partnership with the Boston Brain Bank, is ensuring that these diagnostic tools will be relevant to Australian athletes, not just American football players.

CTE doesn’t just affect the elderly. In Australia, cases have been found in people as young as 20, while in the United States it has been diagnosed in 17 and 18 year-olds. 

The link between repeated head impacts, CTE and mental health symptoms in young people remains poorly understood.

Brain4Life charity is providing 100% of the funding for the Australian Sports Brain Bank to continue its critical work—screening brain donors for CTE and using donor tissue to develop new diagnostic tests and potential treatments.

“We owe it to our children and grandchildren to stop this disease,” says Colin Scotts, Director of Brain4Life. 

“We must understand how to prevent CTE, diagnose it during life and treat those affected as quickly as possible.”

How you can help:



• Donate
• Pledge to become a brain donor
• Raise awareness by sharing this message